For fans of Doctor Who, Doctor Who The Movie was one of the greatest experiences in 33 years. This is a show that is LOVED in England, It is a ratings winner, It needs to be made, It has made more money for the BBC than any programme in their history, and the BBC still frustrate fans and refuse to make it.
Thank god for Philip Segal. He is the Genius [not that one is needed] who had the bright idea that more episodes of Doctor Who could be made. It doesn't matter that the programme was going to be an American flavoured take on the beloved characters. The important thing is that the good Doctor would be back on the box. Mr Segal in my opinion was right.
The casting of Paul McGann as The Doctor was the most inspired thing about this TV Movie. McGann brings a sense of the Mysterious to the role without ever really trying too hard. Sylvester McCoy tried REALLY hard during his time as the Doctor without much success. One look at Tom Baker and you believed he WAS an Alien. The same is true for Paul McGann. He is the most worthy successor to Baker since Sir Tom relinquished the Tardis Keys in 1981. The interesting thing is that both Baker/McGann rein from the great city of Liverpool.
The designs of the TARDIS, Plus the costumes and Special effects, all hit the mark and help make this look like a $40million movie. The man who very nearly steals the show is Eric Roberts as The Master.After years of the droll and predictable Anthony Ainley in the role, Segal found an Actor worthy of Roger Delgado. Yee Jee tso is quite good as Chang Lee. He resembles the same portrayal that Mathew Waterhouse gave as Adric [1980-82]. And then there is Daphne Asbrook as Grace. She is clumsy and Daphy as her name sounds. She is also surprisingly strong as the female lead. And she kisses the Doctor. Who cares [no pun]? There is absolutely no sexual tension in The Doctor/Grace relationship. If there was i could understand the controversy.
What really lets the TVMovie down is Mathew Jacobs script. It evokes the best memories of Doctor Who from childhood whilst simultaneously adding some awful plot holes. The main loop of course is the atrocious climax in wich the Doctor goes back in time [Superman The Movie style] to stop The Master. If it was that simple why didn't he do that in 500 odd episodes of the television series?
Overall though, excellent Theme Music [John Debney, Brilliant Hartnell style costumes for the Doctor, a Good TARDIS set, nEAT sfx and up to the standard acting. Add to that teriffic bike chases and invisible snakes and the problems are ironed out. All in all this would have acted as a very enjoyable Pilot movie to a smilarly enjoyable series. Its a pity. Lets hope that the TARDIS materialises in Hollywood or back on the BBC some time soon.
Thank god for Philip Segal. He is the Genius [not that one is needed] who had the bright idea that more episodes of Doctor Who could be made. It doesn't matter that the programme was going to be an American flavoured take on the beloved characters. The important thing is that the good Doctor would be back on the box. Mr Segal in my opinion was right.
The casting of Paul McGann as The Doctor was the most inspired thing about this TV Movie. McGann brings a sense of the Mysterious to the role without ever really trying too hard. Sylvester McCoy tried REALLY hard during his time as the Doctor without much success. One look at Tom Baker and you believed he WAS an Alien. The same is true for Paul McGann. He is the most worthy successor to Baker since Sir Tom relinquished the Tardis Keys in 1981. The interesting thing is that both Baker/McGann rein from the great city of Liverpool.
The designs of the TARDIS, Plus the costumes and Special effects, all hit the mark and help make this look like a $40million movie. The man who very nearly steals the show is Eric Roberts as The Master.After years of the droll and predictable Anthony Ainley in the role, Segal found an Actor worthy of Roger Delgado. Yee Jee tso is quite good as Chang Lee. He resembles the same portrayal that Mathew Waterhouse gave as Adric [1980-82]. And then there is Daphne Asbrook as Grace. She is clumsy and Daphy as her name sounds. She is also surprisingly strong as the female lead. And she kisses the Doctor. Who cares [no pun]? There is absolutely no sexual tension in The Doctor/Grace relationship. If there was i could understand the controversy.
What really lets the TVMovie down is Mathew Jacobs script. It evokes the best memories of Doctor Who from childhood whilst simultaneously adding some awful plot holes. The main loop of course is the atrocious climax in wich the Doctor goes back in time [Superman The Movie style] to stop The Master. If it was that simple why didn't he do that in 500 odd episodes of the television series?
Overall though, excellent Theme Music [John Debney, Brilliant Hartnell style costumes for the Doctor, a Good TARDIS set, nEAT sfx and up to the standard acting. Add to that teriffic bike chases and invisible snakes and the problems are ironed out. All in all this would have acted as a very enjoyable Pilot movie to a smilarly enjoyable series. Its a pity. Lets hope that the TARDIS materialises in Hollywood or back on the BBC some time soon.